Baseball

PhilaU's Steven Wells Named 2017 CACC Baseball Player of the Year; All-CACC Teams Announced

May 08, 2017

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (May 8, 2017) -- Philadelphia University standout Steven Wells on Monday was named the 2017 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Player of the Year, as announced by Commissioner Dan Mara. Wells was also named to the All-CACC First Team as a first baseman, as the voting for the league's major awards and all-conference honorees were conducted by the league's 12 head coaches in the sport.

Joining Wells as major award winners were Felician University's John Holland as the 2017 CACC Pitcher of the Year, University of the Sciences' Kris Morgenweck as the 2017 CACC Rookie of the Year and Felician's Chris Langan as the 2017 BSN Sports CACC Coach of the Year.

Wells was a monster at the plate this season, as he batted .355 with 14 home runs and 37 runs batted in. He also scored 44 times and stole six bases. Wells led the league in total bases (113) and slugging percentage (.729), while also ranking among the top 10 in runs (3rd), hits (7th, 55), doubles (5th, 12), home runs (2nd), RBI (5th), walks (4th, 30), batting average (5th) and on-base percentage (3rd, .471).

Wells produced 15 multi-hit games this season, including a 4-for-5 effort with five runs scored, two doubles and a homer in a win over Queens (N.Y.) on March 9.

Holland was dealing from the mound all throughout the regular season, as he was tabbed as the league's top pitcher. He compiled a 7-1 record in 11 appearances (10 starts) with a 1.48 earned run average and 64 strikeouts over 66.2 innings of work. He led the conference in wins, ranked third in strikeouts and shutouts (1), while also ranking sixth with a pair of complete-game performances. Holland's ERA was second lowest in the CACC.

Morgenweck was named the league's rookie of the year, as he was strong on the mound for the Devils in 2017. In 11 appearances (including 8 starts), he went 5-3 with four complete-game performances, while also compiling a 2.56 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 56.1 innings. Morgenweck ranked third in the CACC in both complete games and shutouts (1). He was ninth in the conference in wins.

Langan was selected as the league's coach of the year, as he guided Felician to a 33-12 record during the regular season, including a 20-2 mark in conference action, as the Golden Falcons captured the 2017 regular season championship. Felician has also been one of the strongest teams in the East Region the entire year, as it will await word on an at-large bid to next week's NCAA Division II East Region Tournament.

The other major award handed out on Monday was the 2017 CACC Team Sportsmanship Award, which was presented to Goldey-Beacom College for displaying outstanding character and commitment throughout the season. Under the guidance of head coach Tom Riley, Goldey-Beacom reinstituted the sport at the varsity level in 2017, and a young Lightning squad grew and got better as the season went along, setting the stage for a bright future on the Wilmington, Del. campus.

Wells and Holland were each named to the All-CACC First Team at their respective positions and were joined by 14 other standouts on the conference's top unit. Seventeen (17) standouts were placed on the All-CACC Second Team.

All-conference honorees and major award winners will be recognized at the CACC Baseball Championship Banquet on Wednesday night on the eve of the double-elimination portion of the 2017 tournament.

2017 CACC BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Steven Wells (Philadelphia University)

2017 CACC BASEBALL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Kris Morgenweck (University of the Sciences)

2017 CACC BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE YEAR
John Holland (Felician University)